Marge Piecys Barbie Doll Essays - Barbie Doll,

Marge Piecy's "Barbie Doll" Gender Identity in Piercy's "Barbie Doll" Dolls often give children their first lessons in what a society considers valuable and beautiful. These dolls often reveal the unremitting pressure to be young, slim, and beautiful in a society which values mainly aesthetics. Marge Piercy's "Barbie Doll" exhibits how a girl's childhood is saturated with gender-defined roles and preconceived norms for how one should behave. In order to convey her thoughts, the author uses familiar, yet ironic, imagery, as well as uses fluctuating tone in each stanza to better draw attention to the relevant points of her contention. The first four lines of "Barbie Doll" are written in a trite, simplistic tone which represent the normality and basic needs of infancy. It is at this point in one's life that a child has no ability to deviate from the norm, simply because they have no knowledge of it and are completely influenced by what their parents present them with. The presentation of a doll and an oven, along with lipstick (1-3), ensure that the girl will know exactly which gender role she must be. These lines imitate the rigidity in which sexual and gender roles are defined. The tone of the introductory stanza changes abruptly in line five when the speaker relates "Then, in the magic of puberty, a classmate said/ You have a great big nose and fat legs." What is particularly ironic is that puberty is referred to as a "magic" time, when really it is a time for emotional crisis within many children as they struggle to develop their autonomy. This line is directed in a candid fashion which digresses from the mildness of the first few lines, rendering it quite more effective than simplistic speech. The second stanza of "Barbie Doll" starts off as normal as the first, but easily strays into different meaning. While "She was healthy, tested intelligent" (7) connotes positive aspects of the girl, "possessed strong arms and back/ abundant sexual drive and manual dexterity" connotes an entirely divergent idea. Gender roles always defined the man as"strong" and the woman as "weak," the man as "skillful with his hands" and the woman as "skillful with a cookie tin," and finally, the man as the "sexual aggressor" while the woman was the "submissive help-mate." In lines eight and nine, the girl is identified by the characteristics typically associated with the male gender, something quite unusual and completely opposite that of what line seven implies. "She went to and fro apologizing" (10) conveys that the girl recognizes her traits as disparaging and dishonorable. The last line of the second stanza again changes in tone from simple to forthright with the statement "Everyone saw a fat nose on thick legs"(11). This line re-emphasizes the ugliness of not measuring up to the standard of an ideal female, a standard set by society. Piercy addresses the stereotypical manners that women are pressured to perform in the third stanza when she writes "She was advised to play coy/exhorted to come on hearty/exercise, diet, smile, and wheedle"(12-14). By advising the girl to act enthusiastic in response to a man, starve herself to be thin, fake emotions, and influence men with soft words and flattery, the author makes a general statement about how women were practically forced to be something whether or not they wanted to. The words "coy" and "smile" conjure up images of a false passivity that women must endure, images that help to shape the poem by providing a better view of what the subject experienced. Line fifteen contains a reference to a fan belt, an object that, similarly to a person's "good nature," will wear out from use and abuse. The change in tone is repeated once again as the author switches from mild lines about personality to a dramatic line in which an analogy is made to represent an internal change in the character's mentality. With the beginning of the last stanza of "Barbie Doll," the reader can achieve almost a sense of relinquishment as the subject symbolically "...cut off her nose and her legs/ and offered them up." The reader is led to believe that the girl has come to a realization that she must account for the loneliness and emptiness that she has felt as a result of imitating a false person. This culmination is her death, an act of her surrendering herself to the pain. With line twenty's mention of an "...undertaker's cosmetics painted on," the author paints an image of concealment--the concealment of hurt and anguish suffered when a girl

Elizabeth Lavenza in Frankenstein Essays

Elizabeth Lavenza in Frankenstein Essays Elizabeth Lavenza in Frankenstein Paper Elizabeth Lavenza in Frankenstein Paper In her Introduction to the 1831 edition of Frankenstein, Mary Shelly characterized her revisions as principally those of style and added that she had not introduced any new ideas and circumstances or altered the storys core and substance. After reading the original (1818) and the revised (1831) version of Frankenstein, I believe the changes that Shelly has made to the 1831 edition are far more than Just a variation in style or cosmetic. She does make a few changes to the characters profiles and their relationship in the 1831 edition. In this essay, I am going to use the most ignificant woman character in this novel, Elizabeth Lavenza, Victor Frankensteins fianc? ©e, to present my finding. In the original and the revised versions, the story begins with the letters of Captain Robert Walton to his sister and the narration of Victor Frankenstein to Walton. Victor starts with his family background and early childhood, telling Walton about his father, Alphonse, and his mother, Caroline, and how they get married. He then goes on describing how his childhood companion, Elizabeth Lavenza, entered his family. It is at this point in the narrative that the 1818 and revised versions of Frankenstein diverge. I must record an incident which took place when I was four years of age. My father had a sister, whom he tenderly loved, About the time I mentioned she died; and a few months afterwards he received a letter from her husband, acquainting him with his intention of marrying an Italian lady, and requesting my father to take charge of the infant Elizabeth, the only child of his deceased sister My father did not hesitate, and immediately went to Italy, that he might accompany the little Elizabeth to her future home From this time Elizabeth Lavenza became my playfellow, and, as we grew older, my friend. (1818 original version) In the original version, Elizabeth is Victors cousin, the daughter of Alphonses sister. When Victor is four years old, Elizabeths mother dies and she is adopted into the Frankenstein family. Caroline plays no role at all in making the decision to bring Elizabeth into Victors life. When I was about five years old my father had gone by himself to Milan, my mother, accompanied by me, visited this abode. She found a peasant and his wife, hard working, bent down by care and labour, distributing a scanty meal to five hungry babes. Among these there was one which attracted my mother far above all the rest The peasant woman, perceiving that my mother fixed eyes of wonder and admiration on this lovely girl, eagerly communicated her history the result was that Elizabeth Lavenza became the inmate of my parents housemy more than sister the beautiful and adored companion of all my occupations and my pleasures. 1831 edition) In the 1831 edition, it is Victors mother, Caroline, who finds Elizabeth and sets about Elizabeths arrival, Victors mother says, l have a pretty present for my Victor- tomorrow he shall have it. (1831 edition) Caroline decides at the moment of the doption that Elizabeth and Victor should marry someday. I think the change of Elizabeths past brings to the 1831 edition presents a better marriage equality picture between Victors father and mother. When Victors father returns from his trip to Milan, Elizabeth is playing with Victor at home. Caroline explains what has happened and her own desire to make Elizabeth a member of the family is shared by her husband. Her interest in helping the less fortunate has made her fulfilled her role as a mother of a daughter as well as a son. This change adds a view that is missing from the 1818 version in which Elizabeth comes to the Frankenstein home as the result of a decision made by two men, Victors uncle and his father. In addition, the love relationship between Victor and Elizabeth in the 1818 original version is clearly incestuous because they share the same bloodline. In the 1831 edition, Elizabeth is an adopted child that eventually receives the name of cousin. As a result, the later version has removed any suggestion of an incestuous relationship because Elizabeth is converted into an unrelated person of Victor. With the above evidence in mind, I cannot agree with Shelly that her changes in he 1831 edition are merely related to lexical concerns. However, I must say the main plot is not much of a difference between the 1818 and the 1831 editions. Be it a three volumes in the 1818 original version or a single full volume in the 1831 edition, the story is still about a crazy scientist who is fascinated with the secret of life, discovers it, and brings a hideous monster to life. While I agree that the influence of Elizabeth is an important element of the novel to notice, I dont think this character is given significant importance in a direct role and therefore, altering my experience of the novel as a whole.

Global Agri-Food Supply Management Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Global Agri-Food Supply Management - Assignment Example It is evidently clear from the discussion that the world is facing a growth in population. This growth in population calls for more food to be produced while practicing sustainability. This has put the supply agri-food supply chain under immense pressure as they try to keep up with the ever-rising population. The supply chain needs to be more efficient than ever in order to reduce food wastage. This has created room for various players within the industry to come up with innovations to solve these existing problems. Practicing sustainability is among one of the innovations. McDonald's is a company that largely relies on the agri-food chain. Recently the company has come up with various innovations with the aim of promoting sustainability. Due to the changes in world climate, growth in population, as well as the ever-rising cost of energy, the company’s management, has come with some innovations. This is part of the company’s effort to protect the ecosystem, promote the viability of farming to ensure the resources will be available for the future generations. In their attempt to promote sustainable sourcing, the company has come up with the following programs. Beef sustainability, sustainable packaging, recycling, supporting sustainable fisheries, sustainable coffee, sustainable logistics and sustainable poultry farming are some of those programs, One of the major challenges facing the agri-food supply chain is antibiotic resistance in food. This has led to a wide range of foodborne diseases. There have also been weeds that have proved to be pesticide and herbicide resistance. A good example is a pigweed that has become resistance and researchers claim that it will take close to five years to come up with an herbicide that will be able to deal with the pigweed menace. Another challenge is the reduction in insect pollinator population. This has directly affected food production as pollination is necessary for a good harvest.

Not Specified Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Not Specified - Essay Example as in the case of the European Union), on the basis of conventions like the English Common Law, and on theocratic basis (as in the case of Islamic nations). This essay examines the legal issues vis-Ã  -vis management of engineering organisations in an advanced democratic country like the UK. It is appropriate, at this stage, to put forth the argument concerning the topic. Legal issues may be irksome for effective management of engineering organisations but there is no gain saying the fact that the legal rules provide a definitive and helpful background for professional management. The existence of a body of established law helps in smooth running of an organisation and conducting of its business in a predictable manner. Irksome laws and legal rules are certainly there, if viewed from the narrow perspective of a few organisations or a few managers but in the final analysis, one realises that laws evolve with the collective wisdom of the society and hence are to be accepted in the larger context. For example, the safety, health and environmental laws or corporate governance laws may appear to be intrusive, irksome and expensive to implement. But it is proved time and again that in the ultimate analysis, compliance is more economical than paying the price of damages or clean up costs. The prime examples of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy (Pratima, 1998) of the Union Carbide or the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Bligh Reef near Alaska (Thinkquest) testify to this harsh reality. Engineering organisations are formed to provide goods and services in exchange for a consideration, usually payment of money. This simple definition points out the stakeholders involved in the process of setting up and running of engineering organisations. They can be identified at the broad level as the employees, customers, vendors, investors / financial institutions, and the statutory authorities. All engineering organisations are legal entities, separate from the promoters or owners. To this extent,

Exploring theatrical intertextuality

Exploring theatrical intertextuality Investigating how the relationship between two texts, Hamlet and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead, are inextricably linked thematically and thus the outcome of what is lost and what is gained in both plays; by discussing how Stoppard translates his play Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead, from Shakespeares Hamlet. Stoppards technique of extracting two minor characters from probably the most famous play in literatures history, hamlet, enables the audience to gain a unique and enlightening perspective of these characters. The way in which Stoppard deals with his play, by exploring many interesting themes, presents the modern idealisms of movements such as existentialism and debates such as free will versus determinism. By referring to Hamlet we are able to gain new insight, as if peeling away the layers of an onion to infinitely seek hidden meanings; perhaps a consequence of our modern thinking. Stoppards play can be described as searching for the meaning of life and the certainty of death, the links of which can be discussed within the context of existentialism. In brief, existentialism refers to a doctrine that concentrates on the existence of the individual, who, being free and responsible, is held to be what he makes himself by the self-development of his essence through acts of the will. (OED 27/11/09) With existentialism opposing any absolutes and that choice is always possible and when an individual fulfils himself, he exists; and that fulfilling can come only through the agony of choices; human existence is thus replete with lack of fulfillment, emptiness, and frustration. (Stephens 27/11/09) In discussion to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, the two characters Ros and Guil are unable to comprehend their own identities and thus their own individualities, which prevents them from conceiving their own free will. The lack of making choices and taking control of their lives, ultimately leads to them falling into the hands of fate, which leads them to questioning the meaning of life. This is explicit in the opening scene where they discover probabilities. In this regard, they are conscious of a world that seems to be controlled around them, and chance is warped as a spun coin continually comes up heads. (HSC Notes 27/11/09) However, one could argue that the characters in Stoppards play are bound by their previous existence in Shakespeares Hamlet and thus their existence is already contrived as Stoppard deliberately chose to manipulate two characters and reveal their minor story by creating an intertextual play. Furthermore, in regard to the philosophy of existentialism, Gabriel Marcel states that no two beings and no two situations are really commensurable with each other. (Flynn 2006) By dissecting this comment we can apply the first part two beings to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. They seem to be two characters, but alternatively they appear to be linked as if they are two sides of the same coin. Even in Hamlet, Gertrude mixes the two characters up, thus contributing to the lack of distinction between each of their identities, and the quest for their purpose in life, portrayed more relentlessly by Guil. In comparison to Hamlet, the clearest examples of existentialism are in Hamlets speech, and his contemplation of suicide near the end of the play. To be or not to be that is the question. (Shakespeare III.i.56-88) On one significant level, one could argue that through an existentialist perspective, the argument of existence, and moving through choices and more poignantly the questions between the choice of life and death can be deciphered through this one line, as Dan Nguyen comments Hamlet explores his own mortality. (Nguyen 27/11/09) In exploring the elements of life and death, both plays delve into these themes, and not only because Hamlet is a tragedy, but because of the character Hamlets, inability to seek the meaning of life and his obsession of death, which consolidates my suspicion of finding truth through death because it seems to the characters of both plays to be the only certainty. As Jimmy Stephens asserts that life is a mystery and that this mystery ends in death, are the two truths Rosencrantz and Guildenstern do discover as the play proceeds. (Stephens 27/11/09) Ros and Guils refusal to accept responsibility for making choices and taking control of their existence, leads them to suffer almost in a purgatory made inevitably by themselves; which is supported by Nguyens statement that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern never quite grasp the plight of their destiny, reflecting modern uncertainty and disillusionment of the twentieth century, where the only beginning is birth, and the only end is death. (Nguyen 27/11/09) By referring to a definition existent in existentialism, Because of what I am I cannot stop time, except through death, suicide, insanity, alcoholism, or narcotics addiction (Stephens 27/11/09) We can aptly see the universal ideas of existentialism revolving around the theme of death, explicit in both of these plays. Therefore, in reply to the statement above, by considering the extent of what is lost and what is gained by Stoppard intertextualising his play alongside Shakespeares is we see an inextricable link of themes and ideas. However, what is lost by reading both plays separately is the extent of how two minds from two different periods are so alike in their philosophy yet so vastly apart in their language and the outcomes of this consequence dependent on the audience target they seek. Thus as discussed above the elements in Shakespeares Hamlet are not apparent in Stoppards play, so it would be deduced that the extent of the theme existentialism would not seemingly run parallel throughout the two plays if read separately. Yet if the texts are read concurrently then ultimately much is gained by the reflection of themes within a different historical and social context in comparison to another as we can fully understand appreciate their value within our own contexts as a modern audience. Moving on, in contemplating what is lost and what is gained, it is important to establish a definition of which this can be measured. By these terms I seek to explore from an audience perspective what is revealed through Stoppards play, that we would not necessarily have found through just reading Hamlet alone. As it is common knowledge, Stoppard takes two minor characters from Hamlet and transforms them into two major characters, with much of the action happening in Hamlet, taking place in a minor context in Stoppards play. My initial reaction to Hamlet, informed me of the two minor characters of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, were that they were a function to help move the action of the plot along, they were a device that enabled Shakespeare to enhance further the manipulating and deceiving nature of Claudius. The characters themselves did seem strange in the context that they are Hamlets childhood friends, and as Hamlet subtly reveals in Act III scene II, lines 340-63 he perceives them to be conniving. Hamlet Will you play upon this pipe? to Guildenstern It is as easy as lying However, Stoppards revelation of the characters provokes a more sympathetic/ pitiful visualization of the two characters. They seem to be unaware of their true existence, forgetting their past and who they are. Recurring expression of the need to seek the true meaning of their existence is prolonged continually up until their death, even when Guildenstern and Rosencrantz learn of their fate they are still unable to comprehend it, and further question what was it all about? In addition the lack of control over their existence and environment possibly lends itself to the religious backdrop that is a subtle subtext. For example, in Hamlet the religious emphasis often inhibits the action of the play in one respect, as he puts off killing his uncle, because hes afraid he has sought absolution through prayer. However, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern (from Stoppard) are taken from that context a nd placed in an entirely different one, whereby emphasis on God and religion is no longer precedent in the society. Thus everything becomes meaningless to these characters as there are no absolutes, as discussed in the existentialist example above, and they are forever stuck in a purgatory where change is non existent is some respect. They are unable to influence their environment and thus lack the ability to transform or effect their fate, unlike Hamlet who knows his ability to bring about change, and we can witness this through his psychological state yet Hamlet is confined by fate purely because of the difference in religious backdrops that are set up in either play and the conventions it must adhere to it is a tragedy in exactly the Shakespearian era sense. Thus, in conclusion there are many definite links and themes that are inextricably linked within the two plays, which in one sense must be predictable as Stoppard is lending from Shakespeares Hamlet. However the set up is extremely clever with Stoppard lending an additional perceptive, by reflecting on common ideas but with a modern viewpoint he manipulates the text to reveal an uncanny interpretation of two characters and the themes that are present in Hamlet. Therefore it must be said that much is gained, through Stoppards creation, however in my opinion it is meant as a source to be read parallel to Hamlet in order to benefit from the subtle undertones that link the sources so well, and to give a picture of modern society and its reaction. Bibliography Author unknown, English Stage 6 Transformations, http://members.optusnet.com.au/badtz_style/HSC%20stuff/English%20Study%20Notes.pdf. Date accessed: 27/11/09. Author unknown, Hamlet and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern: Understanding the Relationship, www.harrisonhigh.org//Rosencrantz%20and%20Guildenstern.doc .Date accessed: 27/11/09. Cannon, Ryan, Confusing the Critics: Tom Stoppards Rosencrantz Guildenstern Are Dead, http://newmedia.alma.edu/english/420/cannon/eng320.pdf. Date accessed: 27/11/09. De Vos, Jozef, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead: Tom Stoppards artistic failure', Neophilologus, vol. 61, I, Jan 1977, p. 1. Flynn, R. Thomas, Existentialism: a very short introduction, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006. HSC Notes: 2 Unit Related English: Tom Stoppard, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, http://lardcave.net/hsc/english.2ur.stoppard.rosencrantzandguildenstern.html. Date accessed: 27/11/09. Mattern, Karl, Analysis of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, Norderstedt: Grin Verlag, 2006. Mitchell, Marea, Hamlet and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, http://escholarship.usyd.edu.au/journals/index.php/SSE/article/viewFile/50/44. Date accessed: 27/11/09. Nguyen Dan, Transformation of Hamlet to Rosencrantz Guildenstern Are Dead, www.kewpid.net. Date accessed: 27/11/09. Shakespeare, William, Hamlet, in Thompson, A. and Taylor, N. (eds) London: The Arden Shakespeare, 2006. Stephens C. Jimmy, Rosencrantz And Guildenstern Are Dead, Diem Perdidi Titus, Student Notes And Exercises, www.unicorncollector.com. Date accessed: 27/11/09. Stoppard, Tom, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, London: Faber, 1967. www.oed.com, Oxford University Press, 1989. Date accessed: 27/11/09.

Madness and Insanity in Shakespeares Hamlet :: Shakespeare Hamlet Sanity

Hamlet: "To Be Insane or Not To Be Insane That Tis The Question" With in Hamlet, Shakespeare gives a psychological dimension to the thouoghts and actions of each of his characaters, exspecially hamlet. Shakespeare gives the reader an indepth look into the mind of Hamlet. If shakespeare had not given the reader the complex psychological state of Hamlet, then yes one could say Hamlet was insane, but Shakespeare did. He made sure that there was an explanation, logical reason for all of his actions. Hamlet, at the very least was sane. In the play Hamlet was percieved as being mad, but there was a just cause. The symbolic meaning of Hamlet's actions are the underlining meaning for his unconscious motivation toward his actions. This means that Hamlet, maybe not knowing it at the time, would logically justify his actions. For example in act III, Hamlet said to Ophelia: You should not have believed me; for virtue cannot so inoculate our old stock but we shall relish of it. I loved you not. ... Get thee to a nunnery!...Go thy ways to a nunnery. (Sc.I 125) Here we can see that Hamlet had told Ophelia earlier in the scene how deeply he loved her, but here he has changed completely, saying that he had never loved her. With in this quote he slips in that Ophelia should go to a nunnery. This is his just cause for his maddness. He tries to get Ophelia to forget him and go to the nunnery so that she can be safe, and away from all his troubles that would soon come. Here we see his justcause as well as his foreshadowing for things to come. Like many Princes, Hamlet has been highly educated in Whittenburg, England. Here he has learned to think logically and not to act or think on impulse. This is why the reader sees Hamlet talkling to himself. In act III we see hamlet debating over ideas and problems out loud. The most obvious one is in his "To Be" soliloquy. To be, or not to be, that is the question: Whether' tis nobler in the slings and arrows of out- rageous fortune.... to die - to sleep No more. (Sc.I 65) Here we can see Hamlet debating with his inner self. Should I exsist or not? ShouldI sleep or not. Hamlet argues with his inner consious on the fact that if he should die and leave his troubles or live and fight his troubles. this is not to be classified as maddness, for he challenges his self for life, not an

Catastrophic Predictions Essay

The most recent predictions were observed on the date December 21, 2012; for which the Mayan calendar ran out. Other prediction statements involved the earth being centered in the middle of the Milky Way and the planets becoming lined in such a manner that would affect the earth’s polarity. There have been a countless amount of catastrophic disaster predictions foretold for many years. Even some famous individuals like Nostradamus have made predictions that caused panic and havoc amongst believers. Incidentally, most predictions are challenged by scientist; to prove that they are truly false statements and can be provide evidence against them. So, why do we want to assume the worst before hearing all the facts? Catastrophic predictions for December 21, 2012; expressed the concerns that doomsday or Armageddon were at hand. Two of the most popular predictions were the Mayan calendar and the planetary alignment. Between the two predictions several individuals have derived a conclusion; that on a certain date changes in our earth’s astrological makeup will be involved in changing our lives. Now, does that mean the end of time as we know it or just an event which occurs in cycles? In the course of scientific evaluations; each element has been logically examined to provide answers to contradict the beliefs that these predictions will be the end of times. Scientists and historians working together can explain the prediction of the ancient calendar of the Mayans. The Mayan calendar is about to end its cycle and the new beginning arrives on December 21, 2012. Doomsday believers feel that the Mayan’s stone calendar is the real thing this time. These believers feel that the government is withholding the truth. In fact, the Mayan calendar differs from our current system that we use today. Our calendar holds only twelve months per cycle year. The Mayan calendar is often referred to as the Calendar Round. â€Å"The Calendar Round covers a time period equal to 52 solar years or 73 ritual years. The time is significant because in every Calendar Round all the possible combinations of haab and tzolkin cycles will have been experienced and they will re-synchronize at the same starting point (Bellenir, 2004).† Scientific explanations for this prediction of the end of days show that it has been misunderstood by many individuals. Basically, the haab cycle consist of eighteen months of twenty days per month and an additional five days at the end of the cycle (Lewin , 2011). Each day in the haab months is given a name from the tzolkin list. It is similar to our list of Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The exception is that the zolkin list has unique names for each one of the twenty days. Evidence dated during a prior Mayan calendar ending cycle has been found. The theory of climate change could be observed in the discovery. Scientists are researching what seems to be a plant that once lived during a previous Mayan calendar cycle. â€Å"5,200-year-old plants flash frozen. Millennia ago when the last great calendar cycle of the Mayan came to an end, rapid climate change shook up the world and devastated habitats (PR Newswire Association LLC, 2009).† Could there be other evidence that has yet to be found to show what happens during that cycle? Certainly, there will need to be more studies done, but until then, individuals will express their own beliefs and opinions regarding the predictions using the Mayan Calendar. â€Å"The planetary alignment with Earth suddenly at the center of the Milky Way in 2012 — causing untold destruction as the earth’s crust ruptures, seas swamp our coastlines, volcanoes erupt and continental fault lines shatter (Machosky, 2009).† Can planetary alignment really cause the Earth’s magnetic poles to reverse and cause havoc across the planet? Disasters that maybe experienced from such an alignment could result from environmental changes. Followers of this prediction feel that we are already experiencing effects with the Earth’s weather elements and the earthquakes felt around the planet. The polar ice cap is still melting at a slow rate. Could this cause the water level to rise in areas if the poles reverse? Scientists and meteorologists feel that this prediction has will not cause any catastrophic disaster for us. The equinoxes (and solstices) has caused concerns and is often misunderstood when this cycle event happens. â€Å"The Sun is not a pinpoint object and takes some time to cross the galactic equator; they coincide once a year for several years (Stuart, 2011).† Winter solstice was observed on December 21, 2012; which is when the Sun has reached its furthest southern point and starts heading a northerly direction. â€Å"A few days before and after the winter solstice, the change is so slight that the Sun’s path seems to stay the same, or stand still (Yankee Publishing, Inc., 2012).† Does this mean it is a sign of a catastrophic event? No, this happens all the time and our Earth has no drastic affect. Individuals can often seek more reliable proof through specialist. Even the best scholars and scientists will often bump heads during their investigation period of a prediction. The difference between the two groups of specialists is the way they use the â€Å"results base factor†. Scholars will derive their material from proven result factors; along with any theory that is applicable. Scientists mainly need to have actual facts for a proven base result. Both will probe at the task, until satisfied in their findings. It would be hard to keep any catastrophic disaster a secret. Why would they? They have just as much to lose as everyone else if the Earth was going to be in harm’s way. If we take a look back at some of the famous writings of Nostradamus and his prediction materials we would find encoded messages; which have been studied by other scholars even today. â€Å"Nostradamus’s deeply arcane approach; including obscure astrological methods and the use of an esoteric code known as the â€Å"Green Language† (Abbott, Gold, & Rotella, 2000).† Nostradamus did not make it easy to read his predictions and for many years individuals have tried to break the code. His followers believe that much of Nostradamus’s predictions have already happened and that he was gifted with the sight of true predictions. Furthermore, the slightest misdirection or code breaking could result in a false statement predicting that the end is near. Who should we believe when it comes to the facts that a catastrophic disaster is coming our way? Many movies have been created with different outcomes of a catastrophic disaster. Each film is pointing the finger; that we are not prepared enough. The government is in control on the way things will be handled during a catastrophic disaster, even in the moves. We can feel confident that our government would inform us that the world was in danger. They would even have a plan set in place just for such an event. Many individuals have even started their own game plan for action during doomsday. Preparing for any expecting disaster is often taken seriously by individuals believing that the predictions are about to come true. Some believers handle it in different ways; for example: they might have planned to attend a celebration party. Others may celebrate the passing event in private settings. If this sounds familiar, it should because that is what they did on the Millennium (2000). A brief reminder of that prediction was that computers were not going to work. Which turned out to be just a small programming issue and computers still work today. Many bank account customers rushed to withdrew funds; in fear that their money would be lost. What are we afraid of? Is it the not knowing what? Or could it be the not knowing when a disaster will occur that has many getting ready ahead of time? Those individuals who believe in the disaster will shift into a survival mode. Survival supplies are stockpiled for the long duration of the event. The amount of supplies depends on the individual’s needs and type of disaster being observed. Water is one of the major items on the list; both for drinking and cleaning needs. Using special care not to store plastic bottles of water in direct sunlight; for research is still pending on the harm from toxicants produced during prolonged sun exposures (Rogers, 2012). Food and medical supplies are another demand on a stockpile list for survival of a disaster. Having a list ahead of time can help keeping track of the inventory. In addition, individuals may take it even future by seeking out a place to hold out until the disaster is over. Underground shelters have been designed and are in place for safety measures; at a high purchase price. Believers in the catastrophic prediction will gladly spend money on solid, reinforced, deep underground shelters; designed to withstand most disasters. These shelters are equipped with electrical power or self-contained with solar power. The price range depends on the size verse the structure. â€Å"Diameters of 8†², 9†², 10†², 11†² 12†² x 20†² to 50†² lengths are available on custom orders. Prices start at $49,900 (Atlas Survival Shelters, 2012).† This example is for the shelter itself; the property cost is additional. Shelter manufacturers have different floor plans to choose from, remember the buyer could be living in it for a long time. It depends on what you believe in; there is another type of believer and they will reach for the heavens in time of need. Religious communities will often come together to make peace. In times of despair many churches will have gatherings for prayer so members can join together with each other. Past religious cults even had predictions that their group called â€Å"Heaven’s Gate† of 1997 was to meet with a spaceship. That prediction cost thirty nine individuals their lives. Of course, no spaceship ever arrived for them.The news media was quick to report this sad event; massive suicides are common when misadvised individuals want to believe what someone tells them. Once the danger passes the due date; how do we react finding it was indeed another false statement? Some individuals start to unpack their underground shelter and others may keep it ready for the next prediction. While others just feel like it is another day; glad that they disbelieved in the predictions. Everyone has a choice to believe or disbelieve in the predictions. We should be able to give more thought into the research results of specialists; for indeed there are more explanations in favor of nothing going to happen. Another perfect example has passed by on â€Å"December 21, 2012† for the outcome has been proven that in view of the scientific spectrum no evidence occurred that put us in danger of existence. Future false statements will be tested each time by professionals and facts will be shared openly to us all. Giving us a safe and secure feeling to continue our daily lives; until next time. References Abbott, C., Gold, S. F., & Rotella, M. (2000). The Secrets Of Nostradamus: A Radical New Interpretation of the Master’s Prophecies. Retrieved 2012, from Publishers Weekly: http://www.lirn.net/services/proxy?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/197051024?accountid=40833 Atlas Survival Shelters. (2012). Galvanized Corrugated Pipe. Retrieved from Atlas Survival Shelters: http://www.atlassurvivalshelters.com/aboutus/nbc/corrugated/ Bellenir, K. (2004). In Religious Holidays & Calendars. Retrieved from Credo Reference: http://www.lirn.net/services/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.credoreference.com/entry/ogirholidays/the_mayan_and_aztec_calendars Lewin , N. (2011). The Haab. Retrieved from THE MAYAN TRADITION – THE OTHERS CALENDARS: http://www.4-ahau.com/en/The_Haab.html Machosky, M. (2009). Apocalypse now? Well, more like, three years from now. Retrieved 2012, from ProQuest: http://www.lirn.net/services/proxy?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/457147731?accountid=40833 PR N ewswire Association LLC. (2009). What if the Maya Were Right and Doomsday is Just Around the Corner? National Geographic Channel Investigates the Science Behind Ancient Clues in 2012: Countdown to Armageddon. Retrieved 2012, from ProQuest: http://www.lirn.net/services/proxy?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/447787532?accountid=40833 Rogers, C. D. (2012). Are Clear Water Bottles Safe for Sun Exposure? Retrieved from National Geographic Society: http://greenliving.nationalgeographic.com/clear-water-bottles-safe-sun-exposure-20417.html Stuart, D. (2011). The Order of Days: The Maya World and the Truth about 2012. Retrieved from Gale Science in Context: http://ic.galegroup.com:80/ic/scic/AcademicJournalsDetailsPage/AcademicJournalsDetailsWindow?displayGroupName=Journals&disableHighlighting=false&search_within_results=&prodId=SCIC&action=2&catId=&documentId=GALE%7CA263992162&userGroupName=lirn_crevc&jsid= Yankee Publishing, Inc. (2012). First Day of Winter 2012: The Winter Solstice. Retrieved from The Old Farmer’s Almanac: http://www.almanac.com/content/first-day-winter-winter-solstice